JP2007102766A - Print data generation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image data file matched to a printing device and perform printing without partial omission of an image by providing an information storage part for storing print guarantee area information of the printing device and an editing part for editing image data according to the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage part. <P>SOLUTION: The print data generation apparatus for generating print data to be sent to the printing device for printing image data includes the information storage part for storing print guarantee area information of the printing device, and the editing part 14 for editing the image data according to the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data generation apparatus for generating print data to be sent to a printing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a system in which a computer such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) is connected to a scanner and a printer, an image read by the scanner is transmitted to the printer, and printed by the printer (for example, a patent Reference 1). In this case, the image read by the scanner is edited by the PC into a command system suitable for basic information such as the paper size of the printer, and the edited print data is transmitted to the printer. The printer prints in its own print area.
JP-A-9-261414

  However, in the conventional system, if the image read by the scanner is printed as it is, the printable area, that is, the print guarantee area is different for each printer, so that a part of the image is lost and printed. There was a thing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional system.

  In the figure, 101 is a scanner, 102 is a PC connected to the scanner 101, and 103 is a printer connected to the PC 102. Here, the scanner 101 reads the image 105 and transmits the data, that is, the read data to the PC 102. It is assumed that the image 105 is within a frame 106 indicating A4 size. The PC 102 edits the read data into a command system suitable for the paper size of the printer 103. That is, command editing is performed. The paper size is assumed to be A4 size. Then, the read data subjected to command editing from the PC 102 is transmitted to the printer 103, and when the read data received by the printer 103 is printed on the A4 size paper 106a as it is, the print guarantee area 107 is smaller than the A4 size. An image 105a with a part missing is printed.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and edits image data based on an information storage unit that stores print guarantee area information of a printing apparatus and print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit It is an object of the present invention to provide a print data generation apparatus that can create an image data file suitable for a printing apparatus and can perform printing without missing a part of the image by having an editing unit. .

  Therefore, in the print data generation apparatus of the present invention, the print data generation apparatus generates print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus that prints image data, and an information storage unit that stores print guarantee area information of the printing apparatus And an editing unit that edits the image data based on the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit.

  According to the present invention, a print data generation device includes an information storage unit that stores print guarantee area information of a printing apparatus, and an editing unit that edits image data based on the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit And have. Accordingly, an image data file suitable for the printing apparatus can be created, and printing can be performed without missing a part of the image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the image printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a print data generation device for generating print data, which is a multifunctional multifunction device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (composite printer)” as a multifunction device having the functions of a scanner device, a facsimile device, a printer, and a copier. : Multi Function Printer))). The MFP 10 communicates via a network 60 with a printer 50 as a printing apparatus that prints image data, a mail server 30 that can send and receive electronic mail, and a computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 40 such as a personal computer. Connected as possible.

  Here, the MFP 10 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory, a liquid crystal display, a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, an input unit such as a keyboard, a push button, and a touch panel, and a communication interface. Etc.

  The printer 50 may form a monochrome image or a color image. Further, the image forming method of the printer 50 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be any method, for example, an ink jet method, a wire dot method, or an ink ribbon method. Or a thermal transfer method. The printer 50 includes a calculation unit such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an LED display, an input unit such as a keyboard, a push button, and a touch panel, a communication interface, and the like.

  The network 60 may be, for example, a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or may be a network such as an intranet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Further, it may be an IP (Internet Protocol) network including the Internet.

  Further, the PC 40 is a computer including a calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage means such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory, a display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, an input means such as a keyboard, a communication interface, etc. Although it is a personal computer, it may be anything. In addition, the mail server 30 is a server as a computer including a calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage means such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory, a display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, an input means such as a keyboard, and a communication interface. And manage the sending and receiving of emails.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can read an image of a document and transmit the generated print data to the mail server 30 as an email attachment via the network 60. The print data is received as an attached file of the mail, the print data is transmitted from the personal PC 40 to the printer 50, and the printer 50 prints the original image data on a medium such as paper. The printer connected to the network 60 may be a single printer or a plurality of printers. Here, the printer 50 will be described as representative of all printers.

  Next, the configuration of the MFP 10 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes a reading unit 11 for reading an image of an original, and image data read by the reading unit 11 based on printable area information or print guarantee area information of the printer 50. An editing unit 14 for performing editing processing, an operation panel 12 as an operation unit for performing setting and copying operations of the MFP 10, a printer name, printable area information, or print guarantee area information, A memory 13 as an information storage unit for editing data, a PDF creation unit 15 for converting the edited image data into a PDF (Portable Document Format) file as an image data file, and an input through the operation panel 12 PD created by the PDF creation unit 15 based on the information An e-mail creation unit 16 for creating an e-mail with an F file as an attached file, an e-mail transmission control unit 17 for performing e-mail transmission control using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and TCPIP ( The network control unit 18 for controlling the network 60 is provided in accordance with Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.

  Here, the printable region is a physically printable range determined by the width of the photosensitive drum, the width of the LED head of the exposure unit, and the like in the printer 50. The print guarantee area is a range in which printing can be performed so as to maintain print quality within a printable range. Note that the printable area and the print guarantee area may be the same or different, and the print guarantee area is generally narrower.

  The reading unit 11 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an imaging device such as an imaging tube, a lens, a medium such as paper on which an image is printed, a lamp that illuminates a document such as a photograph, and the like. This device reads the image while scanning.

  Next, the configuration of the operation panel 12 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example in which a print guarantee area is used will be described. It can easily handle printable areas.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 12a as display means for displaying information, and a character input key 12b as input means for inputting characters such as numbers and alphabets. A printer registration unit 12c for registering a printer name, a print assurance region registration unit 12d for registering a print assurance region for each printer 50 registered by the printer registration unit 12c, and image data in which printer 50 a print region A printer selection unit 12e for selecting whether to edit, a start key 12f for starting reading and determining registration, and a stop key 12g for stopping reading and canceling registration are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the memory 13 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the memory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 13 includes a printer name storage unit 13a for storing a printer name and a print guarantee area storage unit 13b for storing a print guarantee area, which are input through the operation panel 12. It is constituted by. The print guarantee area storage unit 13b can store an upper and lower print guarantee area and a left and right print guarantee area. The printer name storage unit 13a and the print guarantee area storage unit 13b can store information of a plurality of printers 50. In the illustrated example, information of two printers 50 whose printer names are printer A and printer B is stored. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a print guarantee area corresponding to A4 is stored is shown. Stores corresponding to each paper size.

  Next, the operation of the image printing system having the above configuration will be described. First, an operation for operating the operation panel 12 to register a printer name and a print guarantee area will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a read original in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a view showing a print guarantee area of the printing paper in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a first view of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the operation panel according to the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 registers a printer name and a print guarantee area according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement to perform.

  First, when the operator operates the printer registration unit 12c of the operation panel 12 shown in FIG. 4 to start the printer name registration operation, the LCD 12a displays “Torukusuru Printer Name Change” as shown in FIG. A message is displayed. Next, when the operator operates the character input key 12b to input a printer name and presses the start key 12f, the input printer name is registered and stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13. In this case, when “printer A” is input as the printer name, the printer name is stored in the printer name storage unit 13a as shown in FIG.

  Next, when the operator starts the operation of the print guarantee area registration unit 12d of the operation panel 12, the registered printer name is displayed on the LCD 12a together with the message "Printer selected" as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that printer A and printer B are registered. Therefore, when the printer A is selected, the message “Insert time changes (A4)” as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. The operator operates the character input keys 12b to change the left and right sides of the printer A. In addition, the print guarantee area in the vertical direction is registered. Then, the registered content is registered in the print guarantee area registration unit 13 b of the memory 13.

  Usually, the print guarantee area is related to the printable area, and is often physically limited, and the limit value varies depending on the printer 50. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the read original 19 and the printing paper 20 have a relationship of the left / right reading area 19a> the left / right printing guaranteed area 20a and the upper / lower reading area 19b> the upper / lower printing guaranteed area 20b. The difference between the upper and lower and left and right areas is lost during printing. Therefore, the print guarantee area described in the specifications and catalog of the printer 50 is set here. For example, when the read original 19 is A4 size paper, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer A is selected as the printer 50, and the left and right print guarantee area (width) is 200 mm, and the upper and lower print guarantees. Enter 250 [mm] in the area (vertical side).

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The printer registration unit 12c of the operation panel 12 is operated to register the printer name in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13.
Step S2: The registered printer is selected, the operation of the print guarantee area registration unit 12d of the operation panel 12 is started, the print guarantee areas in the left and right and up and down directions of the printer are registered, and the process is terminated.

  Next, an operation for transmitting print data from the MFP 10 to the mail server 30 by e-mail will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is an example of a message displayed on the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a sixth example of a message displayed on the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a message displayed on the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting print data by electronic mail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, on the operation panel 12 of the MFP 10, a message for inputting an e-mail address, that is, a message “E-mail address change” as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the LCD 12 a. . Therefore, the operator operates the character input key 12b to input an e-mail destination. Subsequently, an e-mail title “E-mail title is changed” as shown in FIG. 13, that is, a message prompting the user to input the e-mail title is displayed on the LCD 12 a. Therefore, the operator operates the character input key 12b to input the title of the e-mail.

  Next, a message such as “Hidden data data” is displayed on the LCD 12a as shown in FIG. That is, a selection display for creating a normal PDF file or editing in accordance with the printer 50 is displayed on the LCD 12a. Then, when the operator presses the printer selection unit 12e on the operation panel 12, the printer name as the device identification information of the printer 50 registered together with the message “Otsukaino printer is selected” as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the LCD 12a. Is done. Therefore, the operator selects which printer 50 to print the image data. When the printer 50 is not selected, when the start key 12f is pressed, a standard PDF file is created as it is without editing the read image data.

  Next, when the operator presses the start key 12 f, e-mail transmission is activated, and the reading unit 11 reads an image and stores the read image data in the memory 13. Subsequently, based on the printer name selected by the operator as described above, the printer 50 is searched from the printer names stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13, and the corresponding printer 50 is searched. Print guarantee area information is obtained from the print guarantee area storage unit 13b.

  Next, the editing unit 14 edits the image data stored in the memory 13 based on the print guarantee area information so that the image data has a size in consideration of the guaranteeable area. For example, the reading original 19 in FIG. 6 has a left and right reading area 19a of 210 [mm] and an upper and lower reading area 19b of 297 [mm]. When the printer A shown in FIG. 5 is selected, as shown in FIG. 7, the print guarantee area of the printing paper 20 is 200 [mm] in the left and right print guarantee area 20a and the upper and lower print guarantee area 20b. 250 [mm]. Therefore, the editing unit 14 performs image data reduction processing so as to be within the print guarantee area. For example, the entire image may be reduced 250/297 times, or vertically 250/297 times and left / right 20/21 times. Then, the PDF creation unit 15 converts the edited image data into a PDF file.

  Subsequently, the e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail that includes the destination and title input by operating the operation panel 12 and uses the PDF file created by the PDF creating unit 15 as an attached file. Then, the e-mail transmission control unit 17 performs the e-mail transmission control using the SMTP used when transmitting a standard e-mail. Further, the network control unit 18 controls the network 60 in accordance with standard TCPIP used when performing network communication, so that an electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server 30.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S11: The character input key 12b of the operation panel 12 is operated to input an e-mail destination.
Step S12: The title of the e-mail is input by operating the character input key 12b of the operation panel 12.
Step S13 The character input key 12b of the operation panel 12 is operated to select which printer 50 is to be used for printing.
Step S14: The character input key 12b on the operation panel 12 is operated to press the start key 12f for e-mail transmission.
Step S15 The reading unit 11 reads image data.
Step S16: Based on the selected printer name, the printer 50 is searched from the printer names stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13, and print guarantee area information corresponding to the searched printer 50 is obtained. .
Step S <b> 17 The editing unit 14 edits the image data stored in the memory 13 based on the print guarantee area information so that the image data has a size in consideration of the print guarantee area.
Step S18 The PDF creation unit 15 converts the edited image data into a PDF file.
Step S19 The e-mail creation unit 16 creates an e-mail having the destination and title input by operating the operation panel 12 and having the PDF file created by the PDF creation unit 15 as an attached file.
Step S20: The e-mail transmission control unit 17 performs e-mail transmission control using SMTP.
Step S21 An e-mail is transmitted to the mail server 30 by the network control unit 18, and the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 as the print data generation apparatus has the memory 13 for storing the print guarantee area information of the printer 50 and the image based on the print guarantee area information stored in the memory 13. And an editing unit 14 for editing data. Therefore, since the MFP 10 can create a PDF file suitable for the printer 50, a part of the image is not lost when the printer 50 performs printing. In the present embodiment, an example of a printer separate from the MFP has been described. However, a printer included in the MFP may be used. That is, when the image data is scanned and printing is instructed instead of mail transmission, editing processing is performed based on print guarantee area information corresponding to the printer of the MFP itself. The edited image data is transmitted to the MFP printer unit and printed. The print guarantee area information of the printer of the MFP itself is stored in advance in the print guarantee area information storage unit of the MFP.

  Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the MFP according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, the MFP 10 includes a reading unit 11, an operation panel 12, a memory 13, an editing unit 14, a menu setting determination unit 23, and a printing unit 24.

  Here, the reading unit 11 is the same as the reading unit 11 in the first embodiment, and scans a document set on a document table (not shown) while scanning to generate image data. The operation panel 12 is the same as the operation panel 12 in the first embodiment, and from the viewpoint of function, an input unit for inputting instruction information such as copy designation, device menu setting, and the like, A display unit for displaying status information, device menu items, and the like.

  The memory 13 includes a printable area information table 13c that stores printable area information for each printer 50 or each paper size, and a menu setting information storage unit 13d that stores various setting information of the apparatus menu. In addition, the menu setting determination unit 23 reads the setting value of the size adjustment menu from the menu setting information storage unit 13d of the memory 13 and determines whether it is set to valid or invalid.

  Further, when the size adjustment menu is set to enable adjustment, the editing unit 14 is printable area information of the printing unit 24 that is a printer in the MFP 10 and prints in a pair with a paper size corresponding to the document size. The possible area information is read, and the image data delivered from the reading unit 11 is edited based on the size of the printable area. If the size adjustment menu is set to disable adjustment, the image data transferred from the reading unit 11 is output to the printing unit 24 without being edited.

  The printing unit 24 converts the image data passed from the editing unit 14 into printable bitmap data, and prints the image data on a medium stored in the MPF 10 by passing it to a built-in printer engine (not shown). . The printing unit 24 is the same as the printer 50 connected to the network 60, but is a printer disposed in the MFP 10, and the printer name is the printer X.

  Next, the configuration of the memory 13 will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printable area information table in the memory according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printable area information table 13c, in the initial setting of the MFP 10, only the information of the printing unit 24 whose printer name is the printer X is registered. Note that the information on the printer A is registered by an operator or acquired by communication with the printer A as described in the first embodiment.

  In this case, printable area information corresponding to a plurality of paper sizes for each printer 50 is stored in the printable area information table 13c.

  Next, the operation of the image printing system in this modification will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the display of the size adjustment menu item in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of copying a document in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  First, the operator sets a document to be copied on a document table (not shown) of the MFP 10. Subsequently, the operator operates the operation panel 12 to designate copying. Then, the reading unit 11 reads the document set on the document table while scanning based on the copy designation, and generates image data.

  Next, the MFP 10 reads the setting value corresponding to the size adjustment menu item stored in the menu setting information storage unit 13d of the memory 13, and determines whether or not the size adjustment menu is set to be valid. The operation panel 12 displays whether the size adjustment menu is valid or invalid, as shown in FIG. When the size adjustment is set to be effective as in the example shown in FIG. 19, the printable area information corresponding to the paper size of the original, that is, the original size is read from the printable area information table 13 c of the memory 13. To get. In this case, since the operator operates the operation panel 12 to specify copying, the printable area information of the printing unit 24 as a printer provided in the MFP 10 is acquired. Further, the paper size of the medium used for printing is selected according to the document size, and printable area information corresponding to the selected paper size is acquired.

  Next, the editing unit 14 edits the image data based on the acquired printable area information so that the image data delivered from the reading unit 11 is within the printable area, and the edited image data is sent to the printing unit 24. hand over. Then, the printing unit 24 prints out the received image data. Thereby, the process ends.

  On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the size adjustment menu is set to be valid, and when the size adjustment is set to be invalid, the editing unit 14 does not edit the image data so as to be within the printable area. Then, it is passed to the printing unit 24 as it is. Then, the printing unit 24 prints out the image data as it is.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S31 A document is set.
Step S32: Specify copy.
Step S33 Read the document.
Step S34: to judge whether the size adjustment menu is set valid. If the size adjustment menu is set to be valid, the process proceeds to step S35, and if the size adjustment menu is not set to be valid, the process proceeds to step S37.
Step S35 Printable area information corresponding to the document size is acquired.
Step S36: The image data is edited based on the printable area information.
Step S37: Printing is completed.

  In this modification, the case where it is determined whether the size adjustment is set to valid or invalid by the setting of the device menu has been described. However, the reading unit 11 generates the device menu without providing the device menu. The size of the image data is compared with the printable area size corresponding to the paper size of the medium used for printing, and the size of the image data generated by the reading unit 11 corresponds to the paper size of the medium used for printing. If it is larger, the image data may be edited, and if it is smaller, the image data may not be edited.

  In the present modification, the copying operation has been described. However, even when an e-mail is transmitted as in the first embodiment, the printing unit 24 can be selected as a printer.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about what has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the MFP according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the MFP 10 generates an MIB (Management Information Base) for recognizing the printer 50 on the network 60 and specifies the printer 50 existing on the network 60. The MIB / PJL command control unit 21 that generates a PJL (Printer Job Language) command for requesting each printer 50 to return print guarantee area information, and the MIB that has received a response from the printer 50 And a MIB / PJL command analysis unit 22 for analyzing the PJL command. Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 50 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the printer 50 includes a MIB / PJL command analysis unit 51 for analyzing MIB and PJL commands received from the network 60, and the result of analysis by the MIB / PJL command analysis unit 51 is a device identification. In the case of an inquiry about the printer name as information, when the printer name is created as a response to the MIB or the result analyzed by the MIB / PJL command analysis unit 51 is a PJL requesting print guarantee area information, MIB / PJL command control unit 52 for creating a print guarantee area as a response to the PJL command, network control unit 53 for performing communication control of the network 60, emulation unit 55 for interpreting the printer language, and print control A printing unit 54 for performing

  Next, the operation of the image printing system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a sequence of the image printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, information is registered in the printer name storage unit 13a and the print guarantee area storage unit 13b of the memory 13 by the operator operating the character input key 12b of the operation panel 12. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, information obtained by communicating with the printer 50 connected via the network 60 is registered in the printer name storage unit 13a and the print guarantee area storage unit 13b of the memory 13. It has become. That is, each printer holds its own print guarantee area information.

  First, the MIB / PJL command control unit 22 of the MFP 10 creates an MIB command for searching for a connectable printer 50 on the network 60, and the network control unit 18 broadcasts the MIB command on the network 60. The MIB / PJL command analysis unit 22 analyzes the response to execute a search for the printer 50.

  For example, when the MFP 10 transmits an MIB command to the printer A and the printer B on the network 60 as shown in FIG. 23, the MFP 10 first checks the printer name inquiry MIB. Is transmitted to the printer B, and the printer name is received from the printer B. Similarly, the MFP 10 transmits a printer name inquiry MIB to the printer A and receives the printer name from the printer A.

  Next, when the connectable printer 50 can be searched, the MIB / PJL command control unit 21 of the MFP 10 creates a PJL command for acquiring the print guarantee area information, and the network control unit 18 searches for the search. The created PJL command is transmitted to the printer 50 that has been created.

  Here, for example, the printer B is a printer that does not support PJL, and the printer A is a printer that supports PJL. The MFP 10 can determine whether the printer supports PJL by recognizing the printer name. Note that the MFP 10 may make an inquiry about capabilities to each printer 50. After receiving a response of printer A to the printer name inquiry MIB, the MFP 10 transmits a print guarantee area inquiry PJL to the printer A, and the printer A sends responses of the left and right print guarantee area 20a and the upper and lower print guarantee area 20b. Receive.

  Subsequently, the MFP 10 analyzes the PJL response command including the print guarantee area information received from the printer A by the MIB / PJL command analysis unit 22, stores the printer name in the printer name storage unit 13 a of the memory 13, and prints it. The guaranteed area information is stored in the print guaranteed area storage unit 13b.

  Since other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, steps of the sequence shown in FIG. 23 will be described.
Step S41 The MFP 10 transmits a printer name inquiry MIB to the printer B.
Step S42: The MFP 10 receives the printer name from the printer B.
Step S43 The MFP 10 sends a printer name inquiry MIB to the printer A.
Step S44 The MFP 10 receives the printer name from the printer A.
Step S45 The MFP 10 sends a print guarantee area inquiry PJL to the printer A.
Step S46 The MFP 10 receives responses from the printer A in the left and right print guarantee area 20a and the upper and lower print guarantee area 20b.

Next, the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 will be described.
Step S51 The MIB / PJL command analysis unit 22 searches for connectable printers 50 on the network 60.
Step S52 The MIB / PJL command control unit 21 of the MFP 10 creates a PJL command for acquiring print guarantee area information.
Step S53 The network control unit 18 transmits the created PJL command to the searched printer 50.
Step S54 The MIB / PJL command analysis unit 22 analyzes the PJL response command including the print guarantee area information received from the printer.
Step S55 The print guarantee area information is stored in the print guarantee area storage unit 13b of the memory 13, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the device identification information of the connectable printer 50 and the print guarantee area information for each printer 50 are acquired by communicating between the MFP 10 and the printer 50 using a specific command. The acquired information is stored in the memory 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate the operation panel 12 to input the device identification information and print guarantee area information of the printer 50, and the usability is improved. The effects of other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st and 2nd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. Also, the description of the same operations and effects as those of the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the e-mail creation unit in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the e-mail creation unit 16a of the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment creates an e-mail title creation unit 16a for creating a title of an e-mail based on information input by operating the operation panel 12. A printer name adding unit 16b for creating a title in which the selected printer name is added to the title of the e-mail input by the operation of the operation panel 12, and the e-mail based on the information input by the operation of the operation panel 12 An attachment file name creation unit 16c for creating the name of the attached file, and an attachment in which the printer name as device identifier information of the selected printer 50 is added to the title of the e-mail input by the operation of the operation panel 12 Printer name adding unit 16 for creating a file name Equipped with a. Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the image printing system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an e-mail created by the e-mail creating unit in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 27 shows the print data created in the third embodiment of the present invention as electronic data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement transmitted to a mail server with mail.

  First, the operator operates the operation panel 12 of the MFP 10 to input an e-mail destination, and inputs an e-mail title and an attached file name. Next, the operator operates the operation panel 12 to select a printer name, and operates the operation panel 12 to activate e-mail transmission. Then, the reading unit 11 reads an image, and the read image data is stored in the memory 13.

  Subsequently, based on the selected printer name, the printer name stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13 is searched, and the corresponding print guarantee area information is obtained from the print guarantee area storage unit 13b. .

  Next, the editing unit 14 edits the image data stored in the memory 13 based on the print guarantee area information so as to have a size in consideration of the print guarantee area. Then, the PDF creation unit 15 converts the edited image data into a PDF file.

  Subsequently, the e-mail title creating unit 16a of the e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail title based on the information input by operating the operation panel 12, and the printer name adding unit 16b operates the operation panel 12. The printer name selected by operation is added to the title.

  The attached file name creating unit 16c of the email creating unit 16 creates the name of the attached file of the email based on the information input by operating the operation panel 12, and the printer name adding unit 16d is operated by the operation panel. The attached file name is created by adding the selected printer name to the attached file name inputted by operating No. 12. Then, the e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail based on the attached file based on the destination inputted by operating the operation panel 12 and the created title.

  Then, the e-mail transmission control unit 17 performs e-mail transmission control using SMTP used when transmitting standard e-mail. Further, the network control unit 18 controls the network 60 in accordance with standard TCPIP used when performing network communication, so that an electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server 30.

  Note that an e-mail having contents as shown in FIG. 26 is created by the e-mail creating unit 16. The example shown in FIG. 26 is an example in which “Test file” as a title, “Sample” as an attached file name are input, and “C5510MFP” is selected as a printer name by operating the operation panel 12. It is.

  In this case, the title is Test file (C5510MFP) and the attached file name is Sample (C5510MFP). Since it becomes PDF, the user who receives the e-mail can immediately determine which printer the print data is for.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S61: The operation panel 12 is operated to input an e-mail destination.
Step S62: The operation panel 12 is operated to input the e-mail title and attached file name.
Step S63: The printer name is selected by operating the operation panel 12.
Step S64: The operation panel 12 is operated and the start key 12f for e-mail transmission is pressed.
Step S65 The reading unit 11 reads image data.
Step S66: Based on the selected printer name, the printer 50 is searched from the printer names stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13, and print guarantee area information corresponding to the searched printer 50 is obtained. .
Step S67: The editing unit 14 edits the image data stored in the memory 13 based on the print guarantee area information so that the image data has a size in consideration of the print guarantee area.
Step S68 The PDF creation unit 15 converts the edited image data into a PDF file.
Step S69 The e-mail title creating unit 16a of the e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail title based on the information input by operating the operation panel 12, and the printer name adding unit 16b operates the operation panel 12. A title with the selected printer name is created.
Step S70 The attached file name creating unit 16c of the email creating unit 16 creates the name of the attached file of the email based on the information input by operating the operation panel 12, and the printer name adding unit 16d The attached file name is created by adding the selected printer name to the attached file name inputted by operating No. 12.
Step S71 The e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail having the destination and title input by operating the operation panel 12 and having the PDF file created by the PDF creating unit 15 as an attached file.
Step S72: The e-mail transmission control unit 17 performs e-mail transmission control using SMTP.
Step S73: The network control unit 18 sends an e-mail to the mail server 30, and the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the device identifier information of the printer 50 selected by operating the operation panel 12 of the MFP 10 as the print data generation device is used as the name of the attached file of the email and the title of the email. It comes to add. Therefore, since it is possible to visually determine which printer 50 is optimal for printing the attached file, the usability is improved. Further, the selected printer name may be included in the body of the mail.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as the 1st-3rd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. Explanation of the same operations and effects as those of the first to third embodiments is also omitted.

  First, the configuration of MFP 10 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the PDF creation unit 15 of the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment edits to add information indicating that image data editing processing has been performed by the editing unit 14 to the header portion of the PDF file. A completed information adding unit 15a. Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 50 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the emulation unit 55 of the printer 50 includes an edited information recognition unit 55a for finding edited information from the header portion of the PDF file. Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the image printing system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting the created print data to the mail server by e-mail according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation from reading an image, editing the image data, and converting the image data into a PDF file is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Then, the PDF creation unit 15 converts the image data edited by the editing unit 14 into a PDF file. Subsequently, the edited information adding unit 15a adds information meaning edited to the header portion of the PDF file. Since the subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S81: The character input key 12b of the operation panel 12 is operated to input an e-mail destination.
Step S82 The e-mail title is input by operating the character input key 12b of the operation panel 12.
Step S83 The character input key 12b of the operation panel 12 is operated to select which printer 50 to print.
Step S84: The character input key 12b on the operation panel 12 is operated to press the start key 12f for e-mail transmission.
Step S85 The reading unit 11 reads image data.
Step S86: Based on the selected printer name, the printer 50 is searched from the printer names stored in the printer name storage unit 13a of the memory 13, and print guarantee area information corresponding to the searched printer 50 is obtained. .
Step S87: The editing unit 14 edits the image data stored in the memory 13 based on the print guarantee area information so that the image data has a size considering the print guarantee area.
Step S88 The PDF creation unit 15 converts the edited image data into a PDF file.
Step S89 The edited information adding unit 15a adds information meaning edited to the header portion of the PDF file.
Step S90 The e-mail creating unit 16 creates an e-mail having the destination and title input by operating the operation panel 12 and having the PDF file created by the PDF creating unit 15 as an attached file.
Step S91: The e-mail transmission control unit 17 performs e-mail transmission control using SMTP.
Step S92 The network control unit 18 sends an e-mail to the mail server 30, and the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the printer 50 that has received the PDF file will be described.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer when a PDF file is received according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the edited information recognition unit 55a of the emulation unit 55 of the printer 50 analyzes the header part of the received PDF file, searches for information that means edited, and determines whether or not it has been edited. If it has been edited, that is, if the information meaning the edited has been found, since it has already been edited, the emulation unit 55 does not edit and does not enlarge / reduce the received image data. Prints. If it has not been edited, that is, if the information meaning edited has not been found, the emulation unit 55 executes an editing process so that it is within the guaranteed print range, and the printing unit 54 performs printing and ends the process. .

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S101: It is determined whether or not the editing has been completed. If it has been edited, the process proceeds to step S103, and if it has not been edited, the process proceeds to step S102.
Step S102: Edit processing is performed so as to be within the print range.
Step S103 Printing is performed by the printing unit 54, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 as the print data generation apparatus has a mechanism for adding the edited information to the edited image data, and the printer 50 recognizes the edited information, and the image When it is recognized that the data has been edited, a normal editing process is not performed. Therefore, the print processing time is shortened and the usability is improved.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the print data generation apparatus is an MFP has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print data generation apparatus is installed in a network scanner or a PC. The present invention can also be applied to printer drivers and utilities.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the reading original document in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the printing guarantee area | region of the printing paper in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of registering a printer name and a print guarantee area according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the printer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 5th figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the printer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 6th figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the printer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 7th figure which shows the example of the message displayed on the printer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which transmits print data by the email in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP in a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printable area | region information table of the memory in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display of the size adjustment menu item in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which copies the original document in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP in a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence of the image printing system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image printing system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the email preparation part in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the email produced by the email creation part in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which transmits the produced print data in a 3rd Embodiment of this invention to a mail server with an email. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of MFP in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which transmits the produced printing data in the 4th Embodiment of this invention to a mail server with an email. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a printer when the PDF file in the 4th Embodiment of this invention is received.

Explanation of symbols

10 MFP
12 Operation panel 13 Memory 14 Editing unit 50 Printer

Claims (8)

(A) A print data generation device that generates print data to be transmitted to a printing device that prints image data,
(B) An information storage unit that stores print guarantee area information of the printing apparatus, and an editing unit that edits the image data based on the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit. A print data generation device. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for inputting the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print guarantee area information stored in the information storage unit is acquired from the printing apparatus. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit stores information on a plurality of printing apparatuses and has an operation unit for selecting information on the plurality of printing apparatuses. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit adds the edited information to the edited image data. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit performs editing including enlargement or reduction to fit the image data in a printable area based on print guarantee area information of the printing apparatus. The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for selecting device identification information for identifying the printing device, wherein the editing unit adds the selected device identification information to image data. (A) A printing apparatus that prints print data transmitted from the print data generation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
(B) A printing apparatus having means for recognizing information that means that the print data includes edited information, and does not perform editing processing when the information is recognized.

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